Mortgage Services

Executive Management Team & Board of Directors

Executive Management Team

SIMONE LAGOMARSINO, Chief Executive OfficerSimone Lagomarsino is the CEO of the Bank and president and CEO of Heritage Oaks Bancorp, parent company of Heritage Oaks Bank. Lagomarsino came to Heritage Oaks in September 2011, with more than 20 years of experience in executive positions at financial institutions in Southern California. In 2013, Lagomarsino was honored by American Banker magazine as one of the top three community bankers in the United States. She currently serves on the boards of directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco; the Alzheimer’s Association’s California Central Coast Chapter, Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center of San Luis Obispo and serves as council to the Dean of the Business School at CLU. She earned an MBA with an emphasis in finance from Claremont Graduate School and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Claremont McKenna College.

RICK C. ARREDONDO, President and Chief Banking OfficerRick Arredondo joined the company as President and Chief Banking Officer of Heritage Oaks Bank on January 5, 2015. Mr. Arredondo is a key member of the Bank's executive team and will use his more than 40 years of commercial and retail banking experience to lead the Bank's customer-facing functions, including consumer and business banking, mortgage and marketing. Prior to joining Heritage Oaks Bank, Mr. Arredondo served as President and Chief Operating Officer at Rabobank California overseeing a network of more than 120 branches.

LONNY D. ROBINSON, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial OfficerLonny Robinson joined the company as Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer on March 19, 2014. Mr. Robinson has more than 30 years of financial services industry experience, most of it at the executive management and Chief Financial Officer level. He has been involved in all aspects of finance including financial planning, analysis and reporting, mergers and acquisitions, accounting, budgeting, financial and management information systems, and corporate finance. He will serve as a member of the Heritage Oaks executive team and will be responsible for directing and overseeing the company's finance and accounting functions.

Prior to joining Heritage Oaks, he served as Executive Vice President and CFO at Banc of California and Private Bank of California with a combined asset base of $3.5 billion. Prior to this position, Robinson served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Hanmi Financial Corporation, a $2.8 billion bank headquartered in southern California. He also held senior financial management positions at Opportunity Bank, Western Community Bancshares, and Center Financial Corporation. Prior to his banking career, he was a CPA with accounting firm, Ernst & Young.

Mr. Robinson is a graduate of Westminster College with a degree in Accounting and Business. He also received graduate banking degrees from the University of Georgia and the University of Texas.

WILLIAM SCHACK, Executive Vice President & Chief Credit OfficerBill Schack joined the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer on June 4, 2013. With his strong background in finance and credit as well as his leadership experience, Bill is an important member of the executive management team. Bill has extensive financial services industry experience. He was previously the chief credit officer at First California Bank since 2009 and was promoted to executive vice president there in 2011. Prior to joining Heritage Oaks Bank, Bill held various credit management positions at financial institutions in Southern California during his twenty year career. Bill received his bachelor's degree from the University of California at Los Angeles and his MBA from the University of Southern California.

ROB OSTERBAUER, Chief Agriculture and Commercial OfficerRob Osterbauer joined Heritage Oaks Bank in May 2012 and is currently the Chief Agriculture and Commercial Officer. Rob leads the Bank’s business development and commercial lending efforts in the Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo regions. He is also responsible for managing agribusiness banking throughout San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties.

Prior to joining Heritage Oaks Bank. Rob spent seven years at Rabobank NA, where he most recently managed the bank’s Central Coast agribusiness division. He is a Certified Public Accountant who dedicated six years of his career to public accounting. He has long-term roots on the Central Coast, having received a Business Economics degree from UC Santa Barbara before completing an MBA at Cal Poly, SLO. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of CPAs.

T. JOSEPH STRONKS, Executive Vice President, Senior Operations OfficerJoseph Stronks joined the Bank in October 2007 as Senior Vice President of Central Services and eBanking. In March 2010, Joseph was promoted to Senior Operations Officer and was again promoted in December 2012 earning the title Executive Vice President. As Senior Operations Officer, Joseph oversees the Services Solutions, Information Technology and Deposit Operations departments. Joseph has over 20 years of community banking experience. He is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, has completed his Project Manager Certification through UCSB Extension, and is a 2009 graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.

KAREN DALLY, Executive Vice President, Talent Management and Organizational Development OfficerKaren Dally joined Heritage Oaks Bank in February 2012 as Executive Vice President, Talent Management and Organization Development Officer. Prior to joining the Heritage Oaks Bank team, Karen held the Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Administrative Officer titles at various banks. Most recently her work experience includes CoastHills Federal Credit Union, Vineyard Bank, N.A., and Hawthorne Savings. With over 20 years of experience as an executive human resources, training and administrative professional, Karen has led strategic corporate culture transformations, talent acquisition, and training and development programs. She also maintains a human resource certification as an SPHR-CA professional.

GREGORY GEHLMANN, Senior Vice President, Chief Bank Counsel

RUSTY WATSON, Senior Vice President, Director of Product Development & Communications StrategyRusty Watson joined the Bank in November 2012 and responsible for directing the Bank’s development of new products and services and the marketing, advertising and public relations programs. Rusty has many years of experience in financial services marketing and has worked for several local banks in the tri-counties including Montecito Bank & Trust and Pacific Capital Bancorp/Santa Barbara Bank & Trust. She also served for two years as the national multi-media spokesperson for the American Bankers Association in Washington, D.C. Rusty is a native of Ventura and a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara and the American Bankers Association’s School of Bank Marketing at the University of Colorado. She received her media training with NBC News and Carl Byoir & Associates in New York.

SCOTT LAYCOCK, Senior Vice President, Retail Branch ExecutiveScott Laycock joined the company as Senior Vice President, Branch Distribution Executive, on July 15, 2013. He is responsible for overseeing the Bank’s branch network and ensuring a consistent quality branch experience for customers. Scott is an experienced banker and has worked in various banking positions of progressively greater responsibility for over 30 years. He is a longtime Central Coast resident and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Each of these directors brings a unique perspective and set of qualifications to the Board. Many are natives of the Central Coast and are connected to the local community and the Bank’s market area through their professional pursuits and civic involvement. The Company’s directors have attended many educational programs sponsored by various banker's associations, as well as recurring training sessions with accountants, attorneys and others in order to keep them current and informed on key banking issues and strategies.

MICHAEL J. MORRIS, ChairmanMr. Morris joined the Company and the Bank as a director in January of 2001 and currently serves as the Chairman of the Company and the Bank since May 24, 2007. He is an attorney and Chairman of the Board of the law firm Andre, Morris & Buttery. He is a member of the Board of NioCorp, a Canadian mining company and is a former Vice President and member of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California. He has served as a member and chairman of various non-profit boards of directors. He has practiced law in California for over 40 years, during which time he has represented a wide array of corporate and municipal clients. The inclusion of Mr. Morris as a director provides the Board of Directors with a unique understanding of a broad range of legal and regulatory matters in its oversight of the Company. Furthermore, his extensive knowledge of local markets and the communities served by the Company gives him unique insights into the Company’s lending challenges and opportunities.

DONALD CAMPBELL, Vice ChairmanMr. Campbell joined the Company and Bank as a founding member in 1994 and 1983, respectively, as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. He served many years as the owner of a local real estate office and currently owns El Pomar Vineyard Service, which specializes in agricultural appraisals and vineyard management. He has been involved with the Company for over 30 years and holds strong connections in the Community. Over the years, Mr. Campbell has attended numerous seminars and workshops were he has obtained several certifications from banking educators. His leadership abilities and long connection to the local community enhances his ability to serve on the board of directors.

ALEXANDER F. SIMASMr. Simas was appointed to the Hacienda Bank Board in August 1998. With the acquisition of Hacienda Bank in October of 2003, he was appointed to the Company and Bank board in November of 2003. Mr. Simas practices law and is a senior shareholder in the attorney firm of Kirk & Simas. He has worked as an attorney for more than 35 years on small and large business transactions. Many of his cases focus on compensation issues which brings specialized knowledge and experience to the board.

DANIEL J. O'HARE, CPA, CGMAMr. O’Hare joined the Company and the Bank, as Director in November of 2004. Since 1999, he has served as President and Managing Director of Glenn Burdette. He has worked as a certified public accountant for over 29 years. His professional background during the last three decades includes significant experience in management and leadership, manufacturing, construction, real estate development, banking, health care, hospitality industry and agriculture. He also has extensive training and knowledge of GAAP. His extensive financial experience contributes to the Company as a director.

DEE LACEYMs. Lacey has served as a Director of the Company and of the Bank since January 23, 1997. Ms. Lacey was appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and has represented the California Beef Producers on a National level. She has served as a community college Board of Trustees for over 4 years and has been a local school board trustee over 20 years. Ms. Lacey serves on the Community Action Partnership SLO, Cuesta College Foundation and on the Board of Directors of Studios on the Park. She is well known in the community and has received numerous awards honoring her service to education, agriculture, libraries and museums which provides a valuable perspective as a director.

JAMES J. LYNCHMr. Lynch joined the Company and Bank in June of 2010. He has served as Vice Chairman of Sovereign Bancorp from 2005-2007 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sovereign’s Mid Atlantic Division from 2002-2007. Lynch also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Fleet Bank in Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey from 2001-2002. He has been Chairman and CEO at Summit Bank and Prime Bank in Pennsylvania. Lynch joined the Company Board in June 2010. He is a Managing Partner of Patriot Financial Partners.

MARK C. FUGATEMr. Fugate joined the Company and the Bank, as a director in November of 2003, after the acquisition of Hacienda Bank. Since 1989 he’s been in business as a commercial real estate broker, developer and investor, asset manager and farmer, with real property holdings in coastal California, the San Joaquin Valley, and the greater Phoenix area. Mr. Fugate currently serves as Real Estate Broker and co-owner of Charter Brokerage Company. Among his many attributes is his knowledge in running a small business, investing and managing commercial real estate. In addition, he has served and continues to serve on the boards of several nonprofits and community organizations including the Northern Santa Barbara County Econ Alliance. His leadership abilities and long connection to the local community enhance his ability to serve on the board of directors.

MICHAEL J. BEHRMANDr. Behrman was a founding director and Chairman of the Board of Business First National Bank from 2001 to 2007. Dr. Behrman joined the Company and Bank as a director, during the Company's acquisition of Business First National Bank in October 2007. Dr. Behrman is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity disorders. He founded Associated Hand Surgeons and has offices in Santa Barbara and Solvang. For over 20 years he has served various positions such as Vice Chairman, Department of Orthopedics, at Santa Barbara's Cottage Hospital and Chairman Department of Orthopedics, at St. Francis Medical Center in Santa Barbara. He has an extensive knowledge of and a connection to the medical community which enhances this market for the Company.

MICHAEL E. PFAUMr. Pfau was a founding director for Business First National Bank in 2001. With the acquisition of Business First Bank by the Company, he was appointed to the board in October 2007. Mr. Pfau is the founding partner of the law firm Reicker, Pfau, Pyle & McRoy LLP, in Santa Barbara. He has served as a member and chairman of various non-profits. His experience and extensive legal experience enhance his ability to contribute to the company as a director.

HOWARD N. GOULDHoward N. Gould is Vice Chairman of Carpenter and Company, a bank advisory firm and is a general partner of the Carpenter Community BancFunds, a private equity fund that invests exclusively in banks. He was California Commissioner of Financial Institutions under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as well as State Superintendent of Banks for California under Governor George Deukmejian. From 2002 to 2003, he was Vice Chairman of The Bank of the West which had acquired United California Bank where he was Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer from 1992 to 2002. Mr. Gould also served as a Vice President at Bank of America and Wells Fargo Bank. He has been a Director of several banks including Sanwa Bank, United California Bank, Nara Bancorp, and Far East National Bank. He currently serves as Director of Bridge Capital Holdings, Inc., San Jose, California and Pacific Mercantile Bank, Irvine California. He holds a Master of Business Administration degree from California State University, Sacramento, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from San Jose State University.

STEPHEN P. YOSTStephen P. Yost is a Principal of Kestrel Advisors. In 2006, he retired from Comerica Bank after 35 successful years in the banking industry. For 26 years of his banking career, Mr. Yost was associated with First Interstate Bank of California. Beginning in 1983, he was assigned to the Northern California Credit Administration Department in San Francisco, first as Vice President and Manager and then as Senior Vice President from 1989 until the merger with Wells Fargo in 1996. In 1996, he joined Los Angeles-based Mellon Bank, NA as the Senior Credit Officer for the West Coast. In 1998, Mr. Yost joined Imperial Bank as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer. From 2004 until his retirement in 2006, he was Executive Vice President and Manager of Special Asset Group for Comerica Bank, Western Region. From March 2010 through February 2014, Mr. Yost served as a Board Member of Mission Community Bank and Bancorp, until Mission Community was merged with Heritage Oaks and he joined the Board of Heritage Oaks Bank in March 2014. Mr. Yost was an Adjunct Professor at the Graduate School of Business at Golden Gate University. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from St. Mary's College in Moraga, California and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Santa Clara.